Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Publication Title

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume

40

Issue

1

First page number:

60

Last page number:

63

Abstract

Objective: To examine the efficacy of two preparatory interventions on one mile run performance in 90 high school long distance runners. Method: After participants had completed a one mile baseline run, they were randomly assigned to participate in either one of two interventions (brief yoga exercises, motivational shouting exercises) or a no intervention control condition. Experimental conditions were implemented one week after the baseline run about 20 minutes before a second one mile trial. Results: Participants assigned to the motivational intervention improved their running performance significantly more than those assigned to the other two conditions. Although the magnitude of the effect was small, participants assigned to yoga exercises showed significant improvements in running performance relative to control condition participants. Consumer satisfaction ratings indicated that participants who were assigned to the motivational and yoga exercise groups liked their interventions more than those assigned to the control group. Conclusion: Motivational and yoga interventions designed to improve long distance running performance were equally acceptable to the participants, but the former had a greater effect.